Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
Calculate your waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) from two tape-measure numbers and see how it compares to the World Health Organization's sex-specific risk thresholds for metabolic and cardiovascular complications.
What You'll Get
- Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)
- WHO risk category (lower risk vs. substantially increased risk)
- How WHR relates to waist circumference and BMI as separate risk markers
- Recommended next steps based on your result
What to Look For in a Body-Composition Scale
A bioimpedance scale trends body fat and muscle rather than just weight — useful when the number stalls but your composition is improving. The absolute body-fat % isn't lab-accurate, so use it for TRENDS at a consistent time of day. Choose one that syncs to an app so you can watch the trend line.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?
The World Health Organization's widely used thresholds define substantially increased risk of metabolic and cardiovascular complications at a WHR of 0.90 or higher for men and 0.85 or higher for women. Ratios below those thresholds fall in the lower-risk range, though risk is a continuum rather than a hard line at any single decimal point.
Is waist-to-hip ratio better than BMI?
They measure different things. BMI estimates overall body mass relative to height and doesn't distinguish where fat is stored. Waist-to-hip ratio specifically reflects fat distribution — how much is carried around the abdomen versus the hips — which research has linked to cardiometabolic risk somewhat independently of total body mass. Neither replaces the other; some clinicians use both alongside waist circumference alone for a fuller picture.
How do I measure my waist and hips accurately for this calculator?
Measure your waist at the narrowest point between your lowest rib and the top of your hip bone, standing relaxed and exhaling normally (not flexing or compressing the tape). Measure your hips around the widest part of your buttocks. Use the same unit (inches or centimeters) for both measurements, since the ratio only works if the units match — the actual unit doesn't matter because it cancels out in the division.
Can a normal BMI still have an unhealthy waist-to-hip ratio?
Yes. A person can have a BMI in the normal range and still carry a disproportionate amount of fat around the abdomen, producing a WHR above the WHO threshold for their sex. This pattern is one reason clinicians sometimes look at waist-based measures alongside BMI rather than relying on BMI alone.
Does entering my measurements here send my data anywhere?
No — the ratio is calculated entirely in your browser from the two numbers you enter. Nothing is sent to a server unless you choose to use the optional "Email my results" box below your result, which requires actively entering an email address.
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